The Cathedral Eucharist on Christmas Day

The Cathedral

Eucharist

on

Christmas Day

Friday, 25 December, 2020

10.30am

The President and Preacher is

The Right Revd Julian Henderson

Bishop of Blackburn

The Deacon is

Canon Rowena Pailing

Vice Dean and Canon Missioner

The Subdeacon is

Ayodele Adebayo

The service is sung by the

Boy and Girl choristers of the Cathedral Choir

Directed by

Helen Davies

Organist

Shaun Turnbull

John Robinson

Organist and Director of Music

The setting for the service is

Mass N° 2 in G major (D 167) Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828)

Before the service, the congregation is welcomed by

The Dean

The Very Revd Peter Howell-Jones

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Preludes

Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (From heaven above to earth I come)

Friedrich Wilhelm Zachau (1663 -1712)

Puer natus in Bethlehem (A child is born in Bethlehem)

BWV 603 J S. Bach (1685-1750)

Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (Peace be to you, Jesus Christ)

BWV 604 J S. Bach (1685-1750)

Quem pastores laudavere (He whom the shepherds praised)

Herbert Paulmichl (b. 1935)

The Gathering

Please stand as the ministers enter.

Processional

The carol is sung by the choir only

O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

come and behold him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God of God,

Light of Light.

Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;

very God, begotten not created.

O come, let us, etc.

Sing, choirs of angels,

sing in exultation,

sing all ye citizens of heaven above:

"Glory to God in the highest:"


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Yea, Lord, we greet thee,

born this happy morning;

Jesu, to thee be glory given:

word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:


Adeste, fidelis (Latin, 18th century) tr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-80) and others.

Melody probably by John Francis Wade (1711-86)

arr. by David Willcocks (1919-2015).

The Greeting

The Bishop greets the people

Welcome all wonders in one sight!

Eternity shut in a span.

Summer in winter, day in night,

heaven in earth and God in man.

Great little one whose all-embracing birth

brings earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.

Grace, mercy and peace

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

be with you

and also with you.

The Bishop introduces the celebration

The Prayers of Penitence

The deacon says

Lord of grace and truth,

we confess our unworthiness

to stand in your presence as your children.

We have sinned:

forgive and heal us.

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The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.

Forgive our disobedience to your will.

We have sinned:


Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger.

Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.

We have sinned:


The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.

Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.

We have sinned:


The Magi followed the star to find Jesus the King.

Forgive our reluctance to seek you.

We have sinned:


May the God of all healing and forgiveness

draw you to himself,

that you may behold the glory of his Son,

the Word made flesh,

and be cleansed from all your sins,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deo

et in terra pax

Glory to God in the highest

and peace on earth

hominibus bonae voluntatis. to those of good will.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, We praise you, we bless you,

adoramus te, glorificamus te. we worship you, we glorify you.

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Gratias agimus tibi We give thanks to you

propter magnam gloriam tuam. for your great glory.

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, O Lord God, heavenly King,

Deus Pater omnipotens. God the Father Almighty.

Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu

Christe.

O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus

Christ.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,

Filius Patris,

O Lord God, Lamb of God,

Son of the Father,

qui tollis peccata mundi, you that take away the sins of the world,

miserere nobis. have mercy on us.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, You that take away the sins of the world,

suscipe deprecationem nostram. receive our prayer.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris,

miserere nobis.

You who are seated at the right hand of

the Father, have mercy upon us.

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, For you alone are holy,

tu solus Dominus, you alone are the Lord,

tu solus Altissimus, you alone are the Most High,

Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu,

in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Collect

Let us pray.

Silence is kept – please remain standing

Almighty God,

you have given us your only-begotten Son

to take our nature upon him

and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:

grant that we, who have been born again

and made your children by adoption and grace,

may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;

though Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Please sit down

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The Liturgy of the Word

Old Testament Reading A reading from the letter prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 52.7-10)

Read by Jeremy Duerden

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news,

who announces salvation,

who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see

the return of the LORD to Zion.

Break forth together into singing,

you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the LORD has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.

The LORD has bared his holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Carol

Torches, torches, run with torches

all the way to Bethlehem!

Christ is born and now lies sleeping;

come and sing your song to him!

Ah, Ro-ro, Ro-ro, my baby,

ah, Ro-ro, my love, Ro-ro;

sleep you well, my heart's own darling,

while we sing you our Ro-ro.

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Sing, my friends, and make you merry,

joy and mirth and joy again;

lo, he lives, the King of heaven,

now and evermore, Amen.

Villancico de Navidad Cancionero popular gallego (Ballesteros) translated by John B

Trend (1887-1958).

© 1928 Oxford University Press. Used By Permission.

Music by John Joubert (1927-2019).

New Testament Reading

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1.1-4)

Read by Karen Kennedy

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the

prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed

heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection

of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things

by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the

right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as

the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Please remain seated for the carol which is sung by the choir alone

Carol Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour,

yet, for love's sake, became so poor;

leaving your throne in glad surrender,

sapphire-paved courts for stable floor:

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour,

yet, for love's sake, became so poor.

You are our God beyond all praising,

yet, for love's sake, became a man;

stooping so low, but sinners raising

heavenwards, by your eternal plan:

you are our God, beyond all praising,

yet for love's sake, became a man.

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Lord, you are love beyond all telling,

Saviour and King, we worship you;

Emmanuel, within us dwelling,

make us and keep us pure and true:

Lord, you are love beyond all telling,

Saviour and King, we worship you.

Frank Houghton (1894-1972), adapted Jubilate Hymns.

© OMF International (IHQ) Ltd.

Music Quelle est cette odeur agréable (Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing)

French trad. carol arr. by David Willcocks (1919-2015).

Please stand for the Gospel reading

The Gospel

The deacon says (John 1.1-14)

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was

God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him,

and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him

was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to

testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the

light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world

did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not

accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power

to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the

flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the

glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

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Sermon

The Right Revd Julian Henderson

Bishop of Blackburn

There is a period of silence after the sermon for reflection.

Please stand with the Bishop for

The Creed

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Though he was divine,

he did not cling to equality with God,

but made himself nothing.

Taking the form of a slave,

he was born in human likeness.

He humbled himself

and was obedient to death,

even the death of the cross.

Therefore God has raised him on high,

and given him the name above every name:

that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Bishop says

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Please sit down or kneel for the prayers.

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The Prayers of Intercession

Led by Andrea Robinson

Father, on this holy day your Son our Saviour

was born in human flesh.

Renew your Church as the Body of Christ.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day there was no room for your Son in the inn.

Protect with your love those who have no home

and all who live in poverty.

Holy God hear our prayer.

On this holy day Mary, in the pain of labour,

brought your Son to birth.

Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day your Christ came as a light

shining in the darkness.

Bring comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day the angels sang,

‘Peace to God’s people on earth.’

Strengthen those who work for peace and justice

in all the world.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

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On this holy day shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy.

Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ’s redemption.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day strangers found the Holy Family,

and saw the baby lying in the manger.

Bless our homes and all whom we love.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day heaven is come down to earth,

and earth is raised to heaven. Hold in your hand all those who have passed through death

in the hope of your coming kingdom.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

On this holy day Christians the world over

celebrate Christ’s birth.

Open our hearts that he may be born in us today.

Holy God

hear our prayer.

Father, on this holy day angels and shepherds worshipped at

the manger throne.

Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with Mary,

Joseph and the saints

through him who is your Word made flesh,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Please stand with the Bishop for the peace

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The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9.6

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

and also with you.

Please do not physically pass the peace

and please do not move from your seat.

While we are still following the safety protocols concerning the pandemic,

no collection will be taken at this point.

If you are a UK tax payer and not a member of the Cathedral Stewardship

Scheme, please use and sign the blue gift aid forms provided by the

collection point near the entrance to the building.

Please feel free to sit for the carol which is sung by the choir alone

Carol Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,

and Mary bore Jesus who was wrapped up in silk:

and Mary bore Jesus Christ, our Saviour for to be,

and the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly, holly, holly,

and the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly!

Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass,

and Mary bore Jesus who died on the Cross: Chorus

Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,

and Mary bore Jesus who died for us all: Chorus

Now the holly bears a berry as blood it is red,

Then trust we our Saviour who rose from the dead: Chorus

Cornish traditional carol arr. by John Rutter (b. 1945).

Please stand

15

Preparation of the Table

[This was completed before the service began]

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Word made flesh, life of the world, in your incarnation you embraced our poverty:

by your Spirit may we share in your riches.

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,

mighty creator, ever-living God.

We give you thanks and praise for your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who for love of our fallen race humbled himself,

was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit,

and lived as one of us.

In this mystery of the Word made flesh

you have caused his light to shine in our hearts,

to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

In him we see our God made visible

and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see.

Therefore with all the angels of heaven

we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name

and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

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The choir sings:

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine

Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Blessed is he who comes in the name

of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,

through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;

and as we follow his example and obey his command,

grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit

these gifts of bread and wine

may be to us his body and his blood;

who in the same night that he was betrayed,

took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper

he took the cup and gave you thanks;

he gave it to them saying,

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father,

we remember now his offering of himself

made once for all upon the cross;

we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;

and as we look for the coming of his kingdom,

we make with this bread and this cup

the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

The deacon says

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Great is the mystery of faith.

Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

Accept through him, our great high priest,

this our sacrifice of thanks and praise;

and as we eat and drink these holy gifts

in the presence of your divine majesty,

renew us by your Holy Spirit,

and nourish us with the body and blood of Christ,

that we may grow into his likeness

and become a living temple to your glory.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

by whom and with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,

we worship you, Father almighty,

in songs of everlasting praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As we join our prayers with those of the Church Universal, so

we say, in our own language, the prayer our Saviour taught us,

Notre père, qui es aux cieux … Missierna, li inti fis-smewwiet…

Vater unser im Himmel … Padre nosso, que estais nos céus…

Padre nostro che sei nei cieli … Ojcze nasz, któryś jest w niebie…

Otče náš, jenž jsi na nebesích … ،ِالذِي فِي السَّمَاوَات…

Tėve Mūsų, kuris esi danguje! ... Ein Tad, yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd…

Tatal nostru care esti in ceruri …

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Bishop breaks the consecrated bread, saying:

We break the bread of life,

and that life is the light of the world.

God here among us,

light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.

The Giving of Communion

The Bishop says

Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The body of Christ.

Amen.

Please stay standing in front of your chair and communion will be brought to you.

Once you have received communion, or if you do not wish to receive on this occasion,

please sit down.

Communion is in one kind only,

and no words of administration or reply are used

– communion takes place silently.

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During communion

The carols during communion are sung the choir alone, ending with

Slumber in thy manger, Jesu, child divine,

lying, Lord of heaven, with the lowly kine,

love shall be thy cradle, love shall hush thy cry,

love, the love of mother, love thy lullaby.

Slumber in thy manger, born without a pang,

while the angel’s anthem thro’ the heavens rang.

Poor the welcome bid thee, yet the best is nigh,


Slumber in thy manger, though the cross await

and the darkness hide thee, hanging desolate;

though thy God forsake thee, yet there cannot die,


Text by the Edgar Rogers.

Music by Edward Bairstow (1874-1946).

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

God our Father,

whose Word has come among us

in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:

may the light of faith illumine our hearts

and shine in our words and deeds;

through him who is Christ the Lord.

Amen.

The Diocesan Vision Prayer

Heavenly Father,

we embrace your call for us to make disciples,

to be witnesses and to grow leaders.

Give us the eyes to see your vision,

ears to hear the prompting of your Spirit

and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son,

our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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Please stand for the carol which is sung by the choir alone

Carol

Hark! the herald-angels sing

glory to the new-born King,

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with the angelic host proclaim,

'Christ is born in Bethlehem.'


glory to the new-born King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!

Hail, the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with us to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.



Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail, the sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise those of the earth,

born to give us second birth.



Charles Wesley (1707-1788) George Whitfield (1714-1770),

Martin Madan (1726-1790) and others.

Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47) v. 3 arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015).

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The Dismissal

The Bishop pronounces God’s blessing

May the Father,

who has loved the eternal Son

from before the foundation of the world,

shed that love upon you his children.

Amen.

May Christ,

who by his incarnation gathered into one

things earthly and heavenly,

fill you with joy and peace.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,

by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,

give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The deacon says

Go in peace. Proclaim the Word made flesh.

Glory, thanks and praise to God.

The Organ Voluntary

Symphony for Organ No. 5 (Toccata)

Charles-Marie Jean Albert Widor (1844 -1937)

All hymns and songs reproduced with permission CCLI Licence # 76152 and ONE LICENSE # A-730144.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches

of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org.

Common Worship, material from which is included in this service is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

http://nrsvbibles.org/

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The Bishop and ministers will leave immediately.

Please follow them without sitting down, unless you are listening to the voluntary,

in which case please remain in your place until it is finishes,

but please do not talk with other people.

We are discouraging people from gathering in groups outside after Sunday worship

so the clergy and ministers will not wait around.

Please take your service paper home with you.

If you leave it behind it cannot be touched

Flowers today are given by Eileen Ranson in loving memory of her parents and

also by the Friends of Blackburn Cathedral.

Next Sunday John, Apostle and Evangelist

Old Testament reading Exodus 33.7-11a

Psalm 117

New Testament reading 1 John 1

Gospel Reading John 21.19b-25

Saturday 26 Dec Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr 10.00am Eucharist

Sunday 27 Dec John, Apostle and Evangelist

9.00am The Parish Eucharist

10.30am The Cathedral Eucharist (Naylor Singers)

The Cavendish Mass – Edward Longstaff

The Cathedral is closed on Boxing Day, 26 December,

except for the Eucharist at 10.00am.

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Monday 28 Dec

Tuesday 29 Dec The Holy Innocents (transferred) 8.30am Morning Prayer with Eucharist

5.00pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 30 Dec

8.30am Morning Prayer


Thursday 31 Dec John Wyclif Reformer, 1384

8.30am Morning Prayer with Eucharist


Friday 1 Jan The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus 10.00am Eucharist

Saturday 2 Jan Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianus, Bishops,

Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389 Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833

Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945

Sunday 3 Jan The Epiphany

9.00am The Parish Eucharist

10.30am The Cathedral Eucharist

The Cathedral is closed on Monday 28 December.

The Cathedral is open for individual prayer on Tuesday, Wednesday and

Thursday from 8.15am until 2.00pm.

The Cathedral is closed on New Year’s Day, 1 January 2021,

except for the Eucharist at 10.00am.

The Cathedral is open from 10.00am – 12 noon on Saturday 2 January.

We are taking every care to follow appropriate social distancing good

practice in this act of worship.

We now have the option to use either the NHS Test and Trace QR

codes that are available in the building OR fill in a card registering your

presence.

There are cards and pens in the back of each chair; if you need to, please fill one in and place it and blue pen in the slot in the welcome

desk. You can also take one home ready for your next visit.

Face masks should be worn and the two-metre ‘rule’ applies.

Please go straight to a seat and remain there for the service.

If you have arrived on your own today, please take a single chair. Double chairs are for partners and bubbles.

There will be no corporate singing – there will be some solo singing –

please do not join in!

If you missed the point for the collection, please give as you leave.

The communion table is prepared before the service begins.

Communion will be in one kind only.

o Please remain standing to receive if you are able or remain sitting

to receive and extend your hand. No words are spoken.

o After receiving please sit down.

After the blessing and

dismissal please remain

standing, and follow the

clergy and ministers out of

the building, immediately.

We are now discouraging

people from gathering in

groups outside after

Sunday worship so, sadly,

the clergy and ministers

will not wait around.

Please be in touch if you need us.

Thank you.

Keep safe.

Documents

The Cathedral Eucharist on Christmas Day